Chapter 67


    -MILLIE-


    Beating my five am rm was slowly bing a habit.


    As my phone buzzed on my armband, I turned the rm off and ceased running. Wiping the sweat


    from my forehead with the back of my hand, I chased my breath, the fatigue settling on my leg


    muscles.


    I had a restless night, and when four am hit, I gave up trying to sleep and focused on wearing my


    muscles out. It was the only thing I could do to stop my brain from going back to what transpiredst


    night. And here I am again, jumping back on the carousel of Damian’s stupid, s*xy grin, me falling for


    him all over again, and Damian pping to my face how foolish I am.


    I don’t want to think about him anymore, but there’s no switch–off button for my feelings for him.


    My lips still tingle with the memories of Damian’s soft and insistent one. My body knew who owned it,


    and its reaction to his touch was on autopilot. If he hadn’t revealed his diabolical n with Ana,st


    night would’ve gone out of control.


    When he walked inside the function hall, mydy parts kicked my reasoning out the window and took


    over. Images of Damian in that fitted gray tee, dark blue jeans, cowboy boots and hat, unbuckling his


    belt while he stared down at me in his bed, savoring me from head to toe with his eyes had clouded my


    head. Then, in his gravelly voice, he’d ask me if I would be a good girl for him. But it was a mere


    fantasy. Like a bucket of ice–cold water dumped over my head, Ana materialized on his side, hanging


    from his arms like a little doll in her pink cocktail dress.


    For Dad’s sake, I endured the torture of seeing themughing and talking cozily at their table. I’d die


    first before admitting this to anyone, but I was d I had Xander’s annoying face to look at instead of


    ogling them. My night took a lighter phase when Gian showed up. Gian didn’t have to ask. He knew


    something was bothering me. When he offered to take me for a ride, I agreed, d he would me out of


    my misery.


    put


    I thought I could finally escape the torment of seeing Damian cozy with another girl. Like a caveman,


    Damian had to throw me over his shoulder and turn my world upside down. I hated the relief that


    washed over me when he said Ana was only a friend. I almost gave in to his touch and kisses. Then he


    told me it was for a show?


    “Ugh!” I groaned, stomping my foot like a child.


    “Rough night?”


    My shriek echoed through the treeline and over theke, disturbing the small animals lurking nearby.


    Gian leaned against a tree. Patches of sweat graced his blue–fitted shirt. His short running shorts


    revealed his toned legs. A headphone hung around his neck, and the visor of a baseball cap shadowed


    his watchful eyes.


    “Gian… God, you almost gave me a heart attack.” I pressed a hand on my chest, my heart drumming


    against my palms.


    Tilting his head to the side, Gian studied me with those piercing blue eyes. “It’s not my fault you’re lost


    in your head, Amore.” There was a pinch of disappointment in his tone. You shouldn’t be running out


    alone at this time of the day.“..


    Although this was still part of Dad’s property, I get where he’sing from. If he had vile intent, I


    would’ve fallen into a trap… again.


    “I just… have a lot on my mind.” Avoiding his gaze, I walked towards the clearing on the side of the


    Shaking the thought of his body out of my head, I stared at the clear water, unseeing.


    With a sigh, Gian abandoned his post on the tree and walked towards me. “How rough was it?”


    “What?” I grimaced at his innuendo. His grin was yful. “That’s… I’m not even gonna answer that.”


    He chuckled, throwing an arm over my shoulder, pulling me in, and ruffling my hair. “Gian! Not my


    hair!”


    “I miss messing with you,” he said, releasing me.


    ring at him, I shoved him in the arms. He didn’t even bulge. It was like punching a wall. I almost


    broke my knuckles. Wincing, I shook my hand. “For a moment, I was actually d to see you. I take it


    back.”


    Hisugh was pure glee. “I miss you too, Amore. Want me to punch Damian in the face?”


    “You’d like that, don’t you? I bet Damian would also like to punch you in the face.” Crouching, I sat on


    the grass with my knees bent in front of me. Gian followed


    suit, and the silence swelled between us. “Thanks foring to Dad’s party, by the way.”


    “I had to discuss, business with him and knew you needed me.” He kept his gaze forward as I frowned


    at him. “And to make sure Damian is not making more mess than he already had.”


    My forehead crinkled, and I was surprised that he was actually taking Damian’s side. This was being


    sympathetic in Gian’s book. “What do you know?”


    He nced at me. “Aside from him being the world’s più stupido? He’d do everything to keep you safe,


    Amore.” (biggest fool)


    These wordsing from Gian were unexpected. I don’t even know how to respond. He didn’t need


    me to say anything and continued. “Leaving you like he did was f**ked up, but he did it to protect you.”


    I snorted. “Protect me? From what? Natalie was already behind bars, and Aidan was a wanted man.


    Damian didn’t need to chase after him. That was the job of the police.”


    “Like I said, he’s the world’s biggest idiot.” He leaned back in his hand, stretching his long legs in front


    of him. “Amore…”


    “Hm?” Hugging my knees as a cold breeze swept by, I tucked my chin and focused on the lone fish


    swimming near the banks.


    “It’s love in Italian. Everyone in love turns into fools sometimes…” he murmured, the loneliness hidden


    in the deepest part of his heart slithering its way out. Gian rarely allowed people to see his vulnerability.


    He’d keep to himself and unt his brooding side, aloof and detached.


    “What do you know, Gian?” From the direction of this conversation, it sounded as if he knew something


    I didn’t. Knowing Gian, he wouldn’t lie to me, but he’s best at sidestepping topics.


    After a moment of contemtion, Gian let out a breath. “It’s not my story to tell, but trust me on this.”


    He pinned me with nothing but honesty in his eyes. “Damian is a fool who’s head over heels for you. I


    wouldn’t let him live if he wasn’t.”


    Back in the cabin, Mom was in the kitchen making breakfast. The belt of her purple robe was left


    untied, revealing a id pajama underneath and her blond hair tied up in a messy bun.


    I hugged mom from behind and rubbed my sweaty cheeks against hers. “Morning, Mommm.”


    Mom groaned, scrunching her nose as she craned her face away from me. It was futile, though.


    “Morning, honey.”


    I giggled and peppered her cheeks with kisses. “What’s for breakfast?”


    Releasing her, I went to the coffeemaker and pulled a cup from the cupboards. While filling it with


    coffee, I eyed the ingredients on the counter. There are leftover nachos fromst night, sausages, and


    colew. Mom was on the iron waffle,dling the batter on it. My stomach grumbled as I spotted the


    made waffle te on her side. I plucked one, but Mom pped my hand.


    “Wash your hands!” she red at me. Pouting, I did what I was told and took one waffle from the te.


    Her eyes narrowed. I gave her a toothy grin.


    “You’re in a good mood,” she said, taking the waffles from the iron anddling another set.


    “You’re making my favorite, so why won’t I be in a good mood?” I reasoned. Mom’s waffle nachos


    would lift my spirit any time of the day.


    Without throwing me a nce, she murmured. “It doesn’t have to do anything with your date with


    Damian?”


    I choked on the waffle I was chewing. Reaching for my cup of coffee, I took a sip and red at Mom


    over the mug. “What date?” I deadpanned.


    She turned the waffle iron off and set aside the waffles, then started cooking the sausages. “You just


    missed him. He asked for Dad’s and I’s permission to take you out on a dateter.”


    I swallowed hard, my heart galloping as I remembered why he told Dad about our deal: ‘I need his


    permission so I can court you properly?


    Like butter tossed on a hot pan, my heart melted. In my teenage diary, I wrote countless ways I wished


    Damian would court me. Though I knew Damian’s words weren’t empty, it still surprised me that he


    actually asked for my parents‘ permission.


    Emotions filled my chest.


    ‘No. Stay strong, Millié. He just asked for permission. Don’t fall for it again?


    I was saved from answering Mom when someone knocked on the door. “I’ll get it!”


    JIL


    I shrieked, startling Mom.


    Her eyes were wide as she watched me skip toward the door. It was my turn to look shocked when I


    saw Andrea’s state.


    She was still in her clothes fromst night: a short denim short, a fitted white sleeveless crop top, and


    ankle boots. A huge pair of sunsses covered her eyes. That wasn’t the shocking part. It was the kiss


    mark on her cleavage that she tried hiding with her messy hair.


    “Don’t ask.”


    Of course, I asked. “What happened to you?”


    Groaning, she pushed me aside and headed straight to greet Mom. Candice trudged up the three steps


    of the cabin’s porch, looking well–rested and glowing in her lc floral mini–dress.


    “What happened?” I asked Candice as I closed the door, crossing the short distance between the living


    area and the kitchen.


    “The stable guy happened.”


    “Xander?!” I hissed. Andrea red at Candice, who merely replied with a shrug. Then Andrea turned to


    me. Her eyes were sharp. “What?”


    Andrea was by the coffeemaker, filling a cup, while Candice stood beside her, munching down on an


    apple from the fruit basket.


    Last night, Andrea said she wasn’t feeling well and headed to her room halfway through the party. I


    gathered she didn’t want to be in the same space with Xander, but looking at her now, I’m not sure


    what she wants anymore.


    Andrea sighed, leaned back on the counter, and removed her sunsses. Dark bags circled her eyes


    as if she hadn’t had a wink of sleep. “I went to the bar after I left the party. Xander followed me. We


    talked, and the next thing I knew, we were kissing.” She groaned, grabbed her coffee, and took a sip.


    “You get the picture.”


    “We get the picture, Candice butted in. “But what happened to ‘We were not supposed to meet in the


    real world.” she quoted Andrea, even mimicking Andrea’s voice.


    Andrea’s gaze could melt steel. I bet that re brought men to their knees just to please her. If only


    Candice was affected by her threatening scowl.


    “What? Your words, not mine.”


    “Stop judging me.”


    “Who’s judging you?” Candice feigned an innocent look. “It wasn’t me who said ‘I’m single, and I’m


    finally ready to mingle. I won’t miss out on life just because I’m broken–hearted.‘ Right, M?” I hummed


    a yes, smiling as Andrea’s eyes narrowed to thin slits.


    “I think she’d already forgotten about Nick’s beautiful cock,” I pipped in.


    Steam bellowed from Andrea’s ears, but Candice wasn’t done messing with her. “And what did you say


    again? ‘It’s called a one–night stand for a reason.”


    Têxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org.


    “Fine. It’s a two night stand with Mr. Dark and Stormy, with a very wonderful dick!”


    Mom giggled from the bottom of the staircase leading towards the rooms upstairs. Dad was behind her,


    shaking his head. Andrea’s cheeks were as red as ripe


    tomatoes.


    A


    Before eating breakfast on the deck, I loaned Andrea a decent shirt. It would save everyone from the


    awkward situation of seeing the kiss mark left by his two–night stand guy.


    We discussed the partnership between Summerfield Acre and Effortless Events. It was a done deal


    even before we got into the details, but talking business with Mom and Dad was a breath of fresh air. It


    was a first time for us.


    After breakfast, Mom and Dad left for their usual routine at the grape farm and wine cer. The three of


    us then finalized the details for Constance’s wedding. Work distracted me from the dreaded decision of


    going out with Damian or not. I could say no,


    but I really wanted to say yes. Until Candice and Andrea left, I was still at 50-50. When six p.m. came, I


    decided I would go and started getting ready.


    ‘It’s just a date, what could possibly go wrong?‘


    45


    While getting dressed, I made a mental list of the things I’m going to ask Damian. My conversation with


    Gian was a huge factor in my decision making. I needed to know the truth so I can move forward or


    move on. It was high time to put an end to this limbo of wondering why Damian ghosted me.


    Choosing what to wear wasn’t a struggle since I only brought limited clothes. I was a nerve of taut


    knots, ready to snap as seven pm hit the clock.


    Sneakers bouncing on the floorboard, I sat anxiously on the single couch in the living room, burning


    holes at the door as I waited for a knock… a knock that never


    came.